The beloved physician Luke wrote how Claudius Lysias, “wrote a letter after this manner” about Paul the apostle,. “Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sends greeting. This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman. And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council. Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse thirty of the book of Acts Luke shared how Claudius Lysias wrote, “when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to you” where we read:
And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to you, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before you what they had against him. Farewell.
The verse begins, “And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to you, ...” Luke began with the word, “and when it was told me” which means “and at the time and moment the information came to me, Claudius Lysias” “how that the Jews laid wait” or “in what manner and way the Jewish people as respects to origin, birth or religion formed a plot ” “for the man” which means “towards the male human being, Paul”, “I sent straightway to you” or “I, Claudius Lysias, dispatched, assigned and deferred to you, Felix”. Luke shared how “Claudius Lysias” informed “Felix” about the “plot” against “Paul” made by the more than forty Jewish men, and this was the reason he immediately dispatched “Paul” to him.
The verse continues, “... and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before you what they had against him. Farewell.” Luke added the words, “and gave commandment” which means “and ordered, announced, declared and charged” “to his accusers also” or “toward his, Paul's, complainants even so and indeed” “to say before you” which means “to utter, declare and make proclamations in front and in the presence of you, Felix” “what they had against him” or “that which the Jewish people possessed and held in opposition to Paul”. “Farewell” which means “thrive, be strong and prosper”. Luke how “Claudius Lysias” told “Felix” in his letter how he ordered the Jewish complainants in opposition to “Paul” to go in front of him, “Felix the governor”, and bring forth their ailments.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Claudius Lysias” completed his letter to “Felix the governor” by referring to the “plot” made against Paul. He told him this is why he was immediately sending “Paul” to him so the Jewish people who had accusations against him could go before him to make their complaints. “Claudius Lysias” ended his letter with a common benediction which included a desire for “Felix” to be “strong and prosper”. God loves everyone, and when He used “Claudius Lysias” to send this letter and “Felix” to receive it, He was bringing about His plan to save mankind from the penalty of sins through His Son Jesus. Jesus died on the cross to pay for the sins of the world, and everyone who believes and trusts in Him will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Those who are wise will carefully study this story of “Paul's” rescue and realize, God was at work and continuing His effort to bring salvation to the world.
Next time Luke shares how, “the soldiers, … took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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